Meek Mill kept the promise of being an advocate for criminal justice and prison reform by highlighting issues during his thought-provoking performance on BET.


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After Meek Mill’s less than a spectacular bout with Drake and a recent run-in with the law, some may have questioned the future of the Philly rapper’s career. When Meek hit the stage with deep lyricism, backed by powerful imagery to boot, he may have laid all his haters to rest. He simultaneously stole the show of the longtime running awards while shining a spotlight on America’s criminal justice system with the introduction of his new single, “Stay Woke.”

The track may give a glimpse of the “Dreams and Nightmares” rapper as an artist with some conscious and social climate examining content going forward.

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“Stay Woke,” the powerful art piece featuring Miguel, displayed an America that African-Americans are aware of. His beautifully decorated backdropped featured the corner of any-hood U.S.A. that can at any moment be consumed by violence initiated by police brutality. This is a story that the parents of Antwon Rose know all too well. A few days ago a police officer who was literally sworn hours before fatally shot the 17-year-old in the back as he ran from the cops. A police officer who was let go from his previous University position for his aggressive nature towards black students, returned to the job to put out the bright light and potential future of Rose. As someone who was able to use his celebrity to navigate a corrupt and unjust judicial system for people of color, this is a reality Meek Mill knows.

We see a new Meek Mill rising like a phoenix from the ashes of his old career. A career heavily publicized by his criminal dealings in the hood, beef with other rap stars, and front page romance with fellow lyricist Nicki Minaj. This is a move we should have all seen coming. His verse on T.I.’s “Black Man” gave us a glimpse of the Meek see before us today. Motivated, strong, focused, ready to make a difference in his community.

Meek Mill is also steadily being acknowledged for his status as a humanitarian. Joining Kaepernick’s   back in 2017 as part of his #MillionDollarPledge. Kaepernick matched Meek’s $10k for a combined $20k to Youth Service Inc. despite his pending jail status. He continues to be a force in his community and after returning to the world as a free man he continues upon and is doubling down on his efforts. This adds to the water donation in support of Flint, Michigan in 2016 and his Turkey Giveaway in 2017 that went on without a hitch even though he was locked up at the time.

The “Amen” rapper may be previewing us to the greatest chapter of his career yet. We will even get more insight into Meek Mill’s emerging persona as a part of six-part docuseries slated for Netflix in 2019. A primary focus of this the marginalized issue of high incarceration rates for people of color. Meek was imprisoned for violating his probation via an Instagram video of him popping a wheelie without a helmet. Harsher penalties for violating the law are par for the course for people of color in America in contrast to incidents such as the rape assault case of a student at Stanford University. As reported by CNN, Brock Turner received a six-month probation sentence in the Stanford rape case which sparked outrage. Largely because he received a reduced sentence when he was accused of raping an unconscious woman. Santa Clara County Superior Court Judge Aaron Persky said via CNN.com: “A prison sentence would have a severe impact on him, …I think he will not be a danger to others.” His probation quickly resulting in a change.org petition against the judgment. With Meek’s help and star power, a great light can be shined on the inequality built into the American criminal justice system.

Even The Breakfast Club’s Charlamagne Tha God reiterated multiple times on air during the after show that Meek Mill made the best use of his platform that night. Here’s to a bright future of Meek Mill and joining fellow rappers of today like Kendrick Lamar, Nas, and Jay-Z, legends like Public Enemy and NWA and many others that point out and criticize the broken judicial system faced by people of color in this country for centuries.

Meek, often an advocate toward motivating youth, revealed “Stay Woke” posts on his Instagram a few days ago bolstering his move to support the Black community and shine a light on the policing of Blacks in America. Could this be evidence of his new commitment and brand?

#staywoke

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